Fossilized Feces Collecting: A Unique Hobby with Historical Importance

Tracing Back Time: The Historic Significance of Fossilized Feces

The hobby of collecting fossilized feces has a long and fascinating history.

While it may seem unusual to some today, the practice dates back thousands of years.

Ancient civilizations like the Romans and Greeks actually prized fossilized feces, known as coprolites, as natural curiosities.

There are records of coprolites being displayed in cabinets of curiosities among royalty and scholars during the Renaissance era. Over time, the scientific value of studying coprolites became better understood.

Pioneering naturalists in the 18th and 19th centuries used the undigested remains found in fossil feces to study the diets and environments of extinct animals. This marked the origins of paleoscatology, the study of fossil dung.

Scientists realized that coprolites provided remarkable snapshots into prehistoric ecosystems that bones and fossils simply could not offer.

Types of Fossilized Feces

There are coprolites belonging to all manners of prehistoric creatures that enthusiasts today collect and study:

• Dinosaur coprolites contain traces of the plants these lumbering beasts ate, sometimes even bones from small animals.
• Petrified fish poop often retains scales and bones to identify the species.
• Mammal droppings like those from rhinos, camels and sloths are very rare.
• Reptile and amphibian poop marks the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life.

The variations point to diets, digestive processes and lifestyles of ancient creatures.

Rarity plays a major role in coprolite collection as well. A prized piece might be the only known sample from an obscure Ice Age mammal, shedding new light on a species.

Starting Your Unique Adventure: Starting Your Collection

Starting a coprolite collection requires some initial preparation and planning.

The first step is deciding what types of specimens you want to focus on collecting. Some enthusiasts target a specific prehistoric era, while others look for rare or unusual examples from different time periods.

When just beginning, aim to source common fossilized feces that are easier to obtain. Local geological sites, natural history museums, and online marketplaces are good places to find starter pieces without breaking the bank.

It’s also worthwhile networking with other collectors who may be looking to sell or trade duplicate specimens from their collections.

As your knowledge grows, you can advance to more scarce and valuable paleofeces. Highly sought-after specimens like coprolites from large dinosaurs or prehistoric marine creatures can fetch high prices at auction. Joining Fossil Clubs is a good way to stay updated on upcoming sales and learn tips on assessing authenticity and quality.

Identifying Fossilized Feces

Learning how to accurately identify specimens takes some specialized knowledge.

Fossilized feces can come in different shapes and consistencies depending on the animal’s diet. Herbivore droppings often contain visible plant remains, while carnivore feces may show bone fragments.

The color, texture, contents, and chemical composition all provide clues on its origin. Consulting reference books and seeking advice from expert collectors helps hone this identification skill over time.

Proper classification ensures the specimens you collect have scientific and collector value.

Where to Find Coprolites

There are two places that I recommend where you can find fossilized feces and they’re not what you’d expect:

ETSY: More known for their arts and crafts, Etsy would’t be most peoples choice to purchase petrified poop. But if you have a look by clicking the link below, I know you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Etsy has actual fossilized feces as well as coprolite paraphernalia.

EBAY: eBay is the worlds biggest auction house and there’s not much that they don’t have – including coprolites. If you want to browse throigh what eBay has, click on the image below and it’ll take you to their latest fossilized feces.

Preservation is Key

Once acquired, proper storage and preservation of fossilized feces is essential.

Avoid direct light exposure or humidity fluctuations that degrade the coprolite’s condition.

Smaller pieces can be kept in museum-grade acrylic cases with silica gel packs. For larger specimens, custom-made climalite boxes with foam supports help prevent damage during storage or transport.

With some strategic planning and networking, the world of fossilized feces collecting promises fascinating finds and an unforgettable hobby adventure. The quest for that perfect, rare piece awaits!

Safeguarding Your Treasures: Preservation Techniques for Your Collection

Collecting fossilized feces requires careful preservation techniques to maintain the condition and visual appeal of your specimens.

As organic matter that has mineralized over millennia, proper storage and display methods are key. Here are some tips for safeguarding your unique treasures:

Controlled Climate Storage

Keeping your collection in a climate-controlled space protects it from fluctuations in temperature and humidity that can cause cracking or crumbling. Ideal conditions are around 68-72°F with a relative humidity of 40-50%. Dedicated collectors use museum-grade storage cabinets with microclimates.

For most, an interior closet or basement with stable temps works well.

Archival Boxes and Foam

Store your specimens in acid-free archival boxes with foam cutouts that cradle each piece individually. This prevents rubbing and abrasions during handling.

Line boxes with unbleached tissue to absorb moisture. Mark boxes clearly with collection dates and locations.

Reinforcement and Consolidation

Use reversible adhesives like methylcellulose to glue loose fragments in place or seal cracks. Consolidants like acrylic resins can also strengthen fragile specimens.

Work cautiously to avoid over-hardening. Record any interventions clearly.

Display Case Considerations

When exhibiting select pieces, glass-fronted wooden cases with interior lighting work well. Ensure climate control and air filtration to exclude dust and pollutants.

Limit light exposure to avoid fading. Secure specimens firmly to prevent shifting and damage during cleaning.

Cleaning and Handling Precautions

Clean specimens carefully using soft brushes only. Avoid liquid cleaners which may dissolve minerals and destroy structural integrity.

Always wear cotton gloves when handling. Wash hands thoroughly first and avoid touching fragile surfaces. Transport pieces individually wrapped in tissue in sturdy containers.

Security Measures

Insure rare or valuable specimens. Install security systems, keep detailed records of each piece (with images) and restrict access to your display area to prevent theft.

Consider loaning to reputable institutions for public education. Caring properly for your fossilized feces allows you to preserve history for scientific study and lets you admire your unique collection for years to come!

Sparking Conversations: Discussing Your Collection with Friends and Family

Introducing your unique hobby of fossilized feces collection to friends and family can seem daunting at first.

Many may react with surprise, confusion, or even distaste when they hear about your passion for these ancient specimens.

However, by focusing conversations on the scientific and historical significance of your collection, you can foster greater understanding.

Highlight the Academic Value

Explain that fossilized feces provide insights into the diets and health of ancient organisms.

They are an important resource for paleontologists reconstructing extinct ecosystems. You can share interesting facts about what coprolites – the official term for fossilized feces – have revealed about the creatures that produced them millions of years ago.

This academic context helps others appreciate your hobby as more than just poo – or strange rocks.

Emphasize the Historical Importance

Fossilized feces also offer a unique window into history.

Describe notable examples like the coprolites from Paisley Caves, Oregon which contained human DNA over 14,000 years old.

Such discoveries give tangible evidence of ancient human migration patterns. You can accentuate how collecting and studying specimens like these helps preserve cultural heritage.

Address Concerns with Patience

If some react with unease or make jokes, don’t be discouraged.

Calmly reiterate your passion and clarify any misconceptions about health risks. Offer to show your collection storage methods to demonstrate how you safely handle the specimens.

Building acceptance takes time, so stay positive.

Invite Engagement

Once others gain more understanding, encourage them to take interest by asking questions or even holding a piece from your collection.

They may be curious about the stories behind your prized samples. Let them discover for themselves the wonders and intrigue of fossilized feces.

Building a Community: Connecting with Fellow Collectors

Fossilized feces collection can feel like an isolated hobby at times.

Still, connecting with fellow enthusiasts is vital for sharing knowledge, trading specimens, and growing the community.

The internet has been invaluable for bringing together collectors from across the globe through online forums, social media groups, and specialist websites.

Online Communities Unite Collectors

Dedicated online communities provide platforms for collectors to:

• Showcase their collections through photos and videos
• Pose questions to identify mysterious specimens
• Learn about new discoveries and scientific advances related to fossilized feces
• Organize meetings and field trips to fossil sites
• Barter and trade specimens, especially rare finds

Lively discussions often spark around distinctive specimens, unusual discoveries, preservation techniques, and changes in legislation around collecting fossils.

• The Facebook group Coproloite (Fossilized Poo) Enthusiasts is a brilliant place for beginners to ask questions. They have a few thousand enthusiastic members that are happy to talk about fossilized poo as long as you are!
• The group r/fossilid on Reddit is a great one if you’re not sure if your find is a coprolite or not. They’re more than willing to help you out.

Through these interactions, bonds form between collectors as advice is shared, admiration expressed, and friendships forged. They’re your people, so don’t be afraid to ask for advice or simply to show of a new piece in your collection!

The Value of In-Person Events

While the online world connects collectors across distances, in-person events help form deeper bonds.

Local museum talks and academic conferences allow for face-to-face interactions.

Collectors light up as they pore over each other’s displays, exchanging collecting stories and technical know-how. Such events provide opportunities to:

• Have specimens appraised by experts
• Learn identification and preservation skills
• Make academic contacts to access private fossil collections
• Discover regional variations in fossil specimens

The friendships sparked over fossilized feces unite enthusiasts in their passion. This sense of community enriches the hobby, providing support, motivation, and new directions for learning.

The Unexpected Rewards of Fossilized Feces Collection

Fossilized feces collection is certainly an unconventional hobby, but as we have seen throughout this blog, it offers some truly unique and rewarding experiences for those willing to embrace its peculiar nature.

As we recap the key aspects that make this pastime so fascinating, let’s also consider what motivates people to take up fossil feces collecting, and why more should give this intriguing hobby a chance.

Captivating Aspects of a Curious Hobby

What is it that draws people to start a collection of ancient fecal fossils? Some of the main appeals include:

• Glimpses into extinct species and ecosystems through coprolite analysis
• Touching literal pieces of the distant past and deep history
• The thrill of the hunt for rare specimens at fossil sites
• Joining a community of like-minded enthusiasts

Beyond these points, fossilized feces simply offer endless surprises that spark curiosity and learning.

From getting to handle prehistoric animal droppings to discovering perfectly preserved traces of meals consumed tens of millions of years ago, fossilized poop provides a direct, tactile connection to the past unlike any other collectible.

An Accessible Gateway to Discovery

While it may seem off-putting initially, fossilized feces collecting is actually quite accessible, requiring no special skills beyond patience and keen observation.

Forays to promising fossil beds, swaps with fellow collectors, and even purchases on online marketplaces can all yield exciting finds to grow a distinctive collection.

As one delves deeper into identifying specimens, learning preservation techniques, and analyzing dietary clues, whole new worlds of understanding open up about the nature of life through the ages.

What starts as a curiosity about poop’s permanence can become a profoundly enriching educational journey.

An Open Invitation to Intrigue

Hopefully this blog has succeeded in peeking your interest to look past the superficial strangeness of fossil feces and appreciate the very human fascination with it. If you feel even a hint of inspiration to explore further, don’t hesitate – follow your curiosity without judgement.

Start reading up on coprolites, search for local fossil enthusiasts, or just order an inexpensive sample online.

As veteran collectors will assure you, you never know what captivating revelations you might uncover when you dare to dig into the world of fossilized dung!

Don’t let squeamishness stop you from starting on this unique portal into natural history!